Declan Kidney sacked as Ireland rugby union coach - BBC Sport BBC Sport Declan Kidney sacked as Ireland rugby union coach 2 Apr 2013 From the section Rugby Union Share this page Read more about sharing. Declan Kidney has been removed as Ireland coach after a five-year reign. Kidney, 53, led Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam but this year they could only finish fifth in the Six Nations. We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby Philip Browne IRFU chief The Irish Rugby Football Union revealed it would not offer him a new deal when his contract expired at the end of June and that he was leaving immediately. An IRFU statement thanked him for the "unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby". Since the 2009 Grand Slam triumph, Ireland have won only 16 out of 40 Tests, while their performance in this year's Six Nations was their worst in the Championship since they ended up with the Wooden Spoon in 1998. They have also slipped to their lowest ever world ranking of ninth.

"We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.

"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world-class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of Ireland players." Declan Kidney factfile Born: 20 October 1959, Ballincollig, County Cork Clubs played for: University College Cork, Dolphin RFC Coaching career: Irish schools, Ireland U-19s, Munster (two stints), Ireland assistant coach, Newport Gwent Dragons, Leinster, Ireland head coach Honours: Under-19 World Cup (1998); two Heineken Cups with Munster (2005-06, 2007-08); Six Nations Grand Slam (2009) Lows: Won 16 of 40 Tests since winning the Grand Slam; finished fifth in 2013 Six Nations The decision to axe Kidney was widely expected and was made following an in-depth review process carried out by the IRFU's National Team Review Group (NTRG), which will now lead the search for a new coach.

Ireland's tour of North America - they play the USA in Houston on 8 June and Canada in Toronto on 15 June - will be led by interim head coach Les Kiss, who will be assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley. Among the possible candidates to replace Kidney, who succeeded Eddie O'Sullivan in 2008, are Ireland Under-20 coach Mike Ruddock, Conor O'Shea, currently at Harlequins, Saracens boss Mark McCall, interim boss Kiss and former South Africa coach Jake White, now in charge at the ACT Brumbies in Australia. The 2009 Grand Slam was the undoubted highpoint of Kidney's Ireland reign. In the 2011 World Cup, they lost against Wales in the quarter-finals and last summer they suffered a record 60-0 defeat against world champions New Zealand. Ireland began the 2013 Six Nations campaign with an impressive win away to eventual champions Wales but back-to-back defeats against England and Scotland were followed by a draw against France, before a surprise loss in Italy on the final weekend.

There were some extenuating circumstances during the championship, with Ireland dealing with a debilitating injury list that robbed them of key players such as Paul O'Connell, Jonathan Sexton and Simon Zebo. But their inability to rediscover the heights they hit in 2009 meant Kidney's future was under scrutiny long before the final defeat in Rome. Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies History of the IRFU Dublin University, founded in 1854, was the first organised Rugby Football Club in Ireland. Students at the University had first learnt the game while at English Public Schools. Other clubs which were formed at the time and are still in existence include, Wanderers founded in 1869; Lansdowne (1873); Dungannon (1873); UCC (1874); Co. Carlow (1873); Ballinasloe (1875); NIFC (1868); Queen's University (1869). Ballinasloe and Athlone amalgamated in 1994 to form Buccaneers.

From 1874 to 1879 there were two Unions. The Irish Football Union had jurisdiction over Clubs in Leinster, Munster and parts of Ulster; the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlled the Belfast area. When the first International was played against England in February 1875, the teams were twenty a side and the Irish team included 12 players from Leinster and eight from Ulster. The first fifteen a side match was in 1877 and the first Munster players were chosen in 1879. In 1879 the two Unions agreed to amalgamate on the following terms: (i) A Union to be known as the Irish Rugby Football Union was to be formed for the whole country. (ii) Branches were to be formed in Leinster, Munster and Ulster. (iii) The Union was to be run by a Council of eighteen, made up of six from each province. The Council was to meet annually. The Council of the Union still meets annually, but the day to day affairs are managed by a Committee comprising a President, two Vice-Presidents, the immediate Past President, the Honorary Treasurer and nineteen members.

In 1885, twenty-six Clubs were affiliated to the Union of which ten were in Ulster, nine in Leinster, seven in Munster. The Connacht Branch was formed in 1886. The first All Blacks team visited Dublinin November 1905 and the IRFU made the match the first all-ticket rugby international in history due to the high level of interest. Ireland played only seven forwards, copying the then New Zealand method of playing a "rover". The game ended New Zealand 15 Ireland 0. On 20 March 1909, Ireland played France for the first time, beating them 19-8. This was Ireland's biggest victory in international rugby at that time, their highest points tally and a record five tries. 30 November 1912 was the first time the Springboks met Ireland at Lansdowne Road, the 1906 tour game having been played at Ravenhill. Ireland with seven new caps were overwhelmed by a record margin of 38-0, still a record loss to South Africa who scored 10 tries.

In 1926, Ireland went into their final Five Nations match unbeaten and with the Grand Slam at stake lost to Wales in Swansea. Ireland again came close to a grand slam in 1927 when their sole loss was an 8-6 defeat by England. In 1948 when, inspired by tactician and fly-half Jack Kyle, they beat France in Paris, England at Twickenham and a 6-0 win over Scotland at Lansdowne Road. They clinched their first Grand Slam in the Five Nations with a win against Wales at Ravenhill, Belfast. Ireland were champions and Triple Crown winners again in 1949. The Irish used only 19 players in clinching the 1949 Championship and Triple Crown, only the fourth time that the Triple Crown had been retained by a home nation. 1950s In 1951, Ireland were once more crowned outright Five Nations champions and were unbeaten going into their final game. They failed to win the Grand Slam or Triple Crown following a 3-3 draw with Wales in Cardiff.

The year of 1952 saw only Ireland's second overseas tour, the first for over half a century - as they headed to Argentina for a nine-match trip which included two Test matches. Ireland won six, drew two and lost one of the matches, their Test record being won one, drawn one. On 27 February 1954, Ireland were due to play Scotland at Ravenhill in Belfast. The new Irish captain, Jim McCarthy, told IRFU president Sarsfield Hogan that the eleven Republic-based players would not stand for "God Save the Queen" alongside the Scottish team. It was agreed that an abbreviated anthem, known in Ulster as "the Salute", would be played that afternoon and that the Irish team would never play again at Ravenhill. Ireland went on to beat Scotland 6-0 but did not play in Northern Ireland again until 2007. On 18 January 1958 Ireland beat Australia 9-6 in Dublin, this was the first time a major touring team had been defeated.

1960s Ireland managed just three victories in the Five Nations Championship; against England in 1961, Wales in 1963 and England again in 1964. There were also draws against England and Wales at Lansdowne Road to the end of 1964. 1965 saw an improvement as Ireland drew with France before beating England and Scotland, only for their Triple Crown hopes disappear against Wales in Cardiff. On 10 April 1965 Ireland recorded their first ever win over South Africa. The match, held at Lansdowne Road, was heading for a draw with the score at six points each, when Tom Kiernan won the match for Ireland with a late penalty. Ireland beat Australia again in Dublin in 1967 and became the first of the home nations to win in the Southern Hemisphere when they beat Australia in Sydney in May 1967. On 26 October 1968, Ireland made it four successive wins over the Wallabies with a 16-3 win at Lansdowne Road.

In 1969, Ireland claimed a 17-9 victory over France at Lansdowne Road in the Five Nations, a first victory over Les Bleus in 11 years. They were again unbeaten going into their final game in Cardiff but Wales denied them a Grand Slam for the third time. In the autumn of 1969, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to appoint a coach for the national team for the first time, the role went to Ronnie Dawson. 1970s The 1972 Five Nations Championship was not completed when Scotland and then Wales refused to play in Ireland following threatening letters to players, purportedly from the IRA. The championship remained unresolved with Wales and Ireland unbeaten. In 1973, despite similar threats, England fulfilled their fixture and were given a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. Ireland won 18-9 and at the after-match dinner the England captain, John Pullin famously remarked "We might not be very good but at least we turn up".

Ireland came close to a first win over the All Blacks on 20 January 1973 but with the score at 10-10 an Irish conversion attempt was pushed wide by a gust of wind. In the final match of the 1974 season, Ireland won their first Five Nations Championship since 1951. Roly Meates was national coach from 1975 to 1977 and Noel Murphy from 1977 to 1980. Willie John McBride was coach until 1984. 1980s In 1982 Ireland came close to winning a Grand Slam but were beaten by France in Paris. They beat Scotland, Wales and England to win the championship and their first Triple Crown in 33 years. Three years after their last Triple Crown win, Ireland, coached by Mick Doyle, came out in 1985 and won the Championship and the Triple Crown again. They beat Scotland and Wales. The French again prevented Ireland from claiming a Grand Slam after a 15-15 draw in Dublin.

Ireland played England at Lansdowne Road and won the championship with a last minute drop goal from Michael Kiernan. The match ended 13-10 to Ireland. It was Ireland's last silverware until 2004. Ireland were whitewashed in the 1986 Five Nations Championship but on 1 November 1986, Ireland made history when they scored 10 tries against Romania in a 60-0 win. It was the biggest win in international rugby at the time, equaling the French record set in 1967. At the inaugural World Cup in 1987, two straightforward victories over Tonga and Canada were enough to see Ireland through to the quarter-finals, when they travelled to Sydney to face the joint hosts Australia, only to be beaten 33-15. In the Five Nations, England and France were dominant throughout the decade, resulting in the others scrapping around for the odd Championship title. Ireland didn't manage to win the trophy once in the whole decade and worse never finished outside the bottom two. 1990s The second Rugby World Cup took place in Britain, Ireland and France in 1991.

Ireland found themselves in the same pool as Scotland. After two easy wins over Japan and Zimbabwe, Scotland sneaked a 24-15 win at Murrayfield. Ireland played the Wallabies at Lansdowne Road in the quarter final and appeared to be on the verge of a shock victory over Australia, when Michael Lynagh scored the winning try to clinch a 19-18 win for Australia. At the 1994 Five Nations Championship, Ireland beat Will Carling's all-conquering England at Twickenham. At the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, Ireland were in a group containing the All Blacks and Wales. In a close game in Johannesburg, Ireland sneaked through 24-23 against Wales to make their third consecutive quarter-final appearance. Unfortunately France proved too strong, with Ireland going down 36-12. The start of the professional era was disappointing for Ireland who finished bottom in the Five Nations Championship three years in succession (1996, 1997 and 1998).

Englishman Brian Ashton was head coach between 1997 and 1998, but after a series of disappointing results resigned barely 12 months into the six year contract he had been awarded by the IRFU. Warren Gatland took over as coach in 1998, but was unable to produce immediate success and 1999 was the first time Ireland failed to reach the last eight at a Rugby World Cup. From this nadir, however, Irish rugby improved rapidly. With the advent of professionalism, the Irish Rugby Football Union decided to convert the four representative provincial sides into de facto club sides, with the financial capacity to retain top talent in Ireland, yet retaining strong links with amateur clubs and schools to enable young talent to be brought up through the ranks. The close geographical proximity of most of the Irish international squad helped cement relationships between the players in a way that would not have been possible had they left for English, French and Southern Hemisphere clubs. The later formation of the Celtic League (Now called the Magners League for sponsorship reasons) cemented this strategy by ensuring that provincial sides had a regular schedule of competitive rugby. The 1999 World Cup was staged in Wales though Ireland played all their pool games in Dublin.

A defeat to the Wallabies meant Ireland having to go down the play-off route. Playing away from Lansdowne Road for the first time in the competition, Ireland were beaten 28-24 by Argentina in Lens. 2000s The advent of the new Six Nations format coincided with this Irish resurgence, and they became the strongest of the Celtic nations. In 2001 the rugby union season was disrupted due to the foot and mouth crisis in Britain. Ireland were good enough to beat France but were unable to play Scotland until the Autumn and were caught cold losing 32-10. They were still good enough to beat England, spoiling their hopes of a Grand Slam, and finishing second on points difference. Eddie O'Sullivan took over as coach from Warren Gatland in November 2001 following the New Zealander's sacking. The 2003 Six Nations Championship came down to the wire with Ireland and England playing a Grand Slam decider at Lansdowne Road. England, however, won 42-6.

That defeat ended an unbeaten run that stretched back 10 Tests to their Rugby World Cup qualifiers warm up against Romania in September 2002 and included defeats of Pool A rivals Australia and Argentina at Lansdowne Road. In 2004 they lost their opening game against France but became the first team to beat England following their World Cup win. They finished second in the table behind France and won the Triple Crown. In 2005 Ireland were considered slight favourites entering the Six Nations Championships, and won their first three matches, including a 19-13 defeat of England in Dublin. However, Ireland's dreams of their first Grand Slam since 1948 were ended with a 26-19 home loss to France. In the final round, Wales defeated Ireland 32-20 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam. Ireland finished in 3rd place. In 2006, Ireland showed the capacity to play top class rugby, but only inconsistently - a rout of Wales was balanced by uncertain victories against England , Scotland and Italy and a comprehensive defeat by winners France.

Ireland finished second and won the Triple Crown for the second time in three years, incidentally the first ever time a trophy had been awarded for the feat. They then embarked on their annual tour to the southern hemisphere. There they ran New Zealand close twice before a tired Ireland were thumped by the Wallabies in Perth. They returned to their clubs before they gathered once more for the last Autumn Internationals at Lansdowne Road. The South Africans came with an experimental side with an eye on the 2007 World Cup, which was soundly beaten by the Irish 32-15. Next to Lansdowne were Australia with a much more formidable squad. The weather ruined what many had tipped to be the battle of the backlines, although Geordan Murphy finished off a world class move in their 21-6 victory. That win propelled Ireland to a best ever height of 3rd in the IRB World Rankings. In the final international match at Lansdowne, Ireland thumped the Pacific Islanders 61-17, with Paddy Wallace putting in a man of the match performance with 26 points. The win completed a hat-trick of victories.

In March 2007 the IRFU created the "High Performance Select Group" of up and coming Irish players who have been earmarked for future Irish teams. This group includes Luke Fitzgerald, Barry Murphy, Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Daniel Riordan, Stephen Ferris, Roger Wilson,and Jamie Heaslip, some of whom have already been capped. The aim of the group is to provide these young players with the support and infrastructure available to the senior squad and to ease their future transition into the Irish team. With the announcement of the rebuilding of Lansdowne Road, a new venue was required to stage Ireland's home internationals. While Ireland are planning to play one of their warm up matches for the 2007 World Cup at Ravenhill, the only stadium in Ireland capable of holding major rugby internationals was Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association. To accommodate this, the GAA temporarily relaxed its rule governing the playing of so-called "foreign games" on its property.

Initially, two Six Nations games were played at Croke Park during 2007; the first was a 17-20 loss to France, and the second a 43 to 13 win over England. Ireland began their 2008 Six Nations Campaign with a narrow win over Italy. France then edged Ireland out in Paris, before they went on to beat Scotland in Dublin, Ireland then lost to eventual Grand Slammers Wales and England. In March 2008, Eddie O'Sullivan resigned as Ireland coach after the disappointing Six Nations and World Cup campaigns. Declan Kidney was subsequently appointed as manager but did not take up this role formally until after Ireland's tour of New Zealand and Australia (losing to the All Blacks 21-11 and Australia 18-12). His first official game in charge was against Canada at Thomond Park which Ireland won 55-0.

Ireland won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam by beating Wales at the Millennium Stadium 15-17 on 21 March 2009, the first time they had won the championship since 1985, and the first time they had won the Grand Slam since 1948. Ireland also became only the second team (after Wales in 2005) to win a Six Nations Grand Slam after playing more away games than at home. The Ireland team arrived home on 22 March 2009 at Dublin airport to a heroes welcome. Afterwards around 18,000 fans turned out at the Mansion House to greet the team after clinching the first Grand Slam for Ireland in 61 years. After Autumn Series victories against Fiji and South Africa and a draw against Australia, Ireland ended 2009 unbeaten. 2010s Ireland began the 2010 Six Nations with a home game against Italy, winning 29-11. Their second game was away to France in a match which many saw as the decider for this years competition.

France ran out comfortable winners, the final score being 33-10. After a one week break Ireland were away to England. In a close game Ireland eventually emerged victorious, a Tommy Bowe try and Ronan O'Gara conversion winning the match 16-20. After another one week break Ireland were back at Croke Park against Wales. Ireland were winners, beating Wales 27-12 after a Man-of-the-Match performance from Tomas O'Leary. Ireland's final game of the Six Nations, and the last ever game at Croke Park, was against Scotland. Ireland went into the match with a 5th Triple Crown in sight but were undone by a 79th minute Dan Parks penalty, which gave the Scots a 20-23 victory. Ireland began their 2010 Summer Tests with a non-cap friendly against the Barbarians, which they lost 23-29 despite a characteristic fight-back in the second half. Their next game saw them take on New Zealand.

An injury hit side fielded a number of inexperienced or uncapped players, and Ireland were duly thrashed 66-28, their heaviest ever defeat, though a spirited come back in the second half gained them a lot of deserved credit, with tries from O'Driscoll, Bowe and D'Arcy after Tuohy's first half try. Jamie Heaslip was also sent off in the 15th minute so Ireland were at a numerical disadvantage. Ireland's next game was against New Zealand Maori. The side was captained by Geordan Murphy and fielded many inexperienced players. The game was level at 18-18 at half-time thanks to Jonathon Sexton's boot, but the Maori eventually won 31-28. Ireland's next game, and last of the Summer Tests, was against Australia which they lost 22-15. Presidents of IRFU D.V. Healy Today (2010) As of 2010 there are 60,000 (approx.) players in total in Ireland.

56 clubs are affiliated to the Ulster Branch; 71 to the Leinster Branch: 59 to the Munster Branch and 19 to the Connacht Branch. In addition there are 246 Schools playing rugby, Ulster (107), Leinster (75), Munster (41) and Connacht (23). There is a National League of 50 Senior Clubs. The Union owns grounds at Lansdowne Road at which International Rugby and Soccer matches are played. The ground is also home to Wanderers and Lansdowne Rugby clubs. Developments in recent years have added greatly to the seating capacity and the ground now holds approx 50,000. The Union also owns Ravenhill Park in Belfast, Thomond Park in Limerick and a number of grounds in provincial areas that have been rented to Clubs. There is a Branch of the Union in each Province which s managed by a Committee representative of the Clubs in that province. The function of a branch is to regulate the affairs of its Clubs and Schools and to organise Interprovincial matches, Club competitions and Club matches.

The Interprovicial series that is played before Christmas each season provides a useful series of trial matches for the Irish Selectors. References: 1. IRFU website retrieved Oct 22, 2010 2. wikipedia.org/wiki/ireland_national_rugby_union_team retrieved Oct 22, 2010. NB. I don't usually like sourcing information from wikipedia as I have found it to contain many errors in the past. I therefore intend to verify and re-write most of the text on this page in due course. Declan Kidney sacked as Ireland rugby union coach - BBC Sport BBC Sport Declan Kidney sacked as Ireland rugby union coach 2 Apr 2013 From the section Rugby Union Share this page Read more about sharing. Declan Kidney has been removed as Ireland coach after a five-year reign. Kidney, 53, led Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam but this year they could only finish fifth in the Six Nations.

We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby Philip Browne IRFU chief The Irish Rugby Football Union revealed it would not offer him a new deal when his contract expired at the end of June and that he was leaving immediately. An IRFU statement thanked him for the "unquestionable commitment, passion, professionalism and success he has delivered to Irish rugby". Since the 2009 Grand Slam triumph, Ireland have won only 16 out of 40 Tests, while their performance in this year's Six Nations was their worst in the Championship since they ended up with the Wooden Spoon in 1998. They have also slipped to their lowest ever world ranking of ninth. "We would like to sincerely thank Declan for his commitment to Irish rugby," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.

"With a host of new and emerging talent at every level, and despite the clear challenges ahead, we are confident of securing another world-class coach to work with this talented and ambitious group of Ireland players." Declan Kidney factfile Born: 20 October 1959, Ballincollig, County Cork Clubs played for: University College Cork, Dolphin RFC Coaching career: Irish schools, Ireland U-19s, Munster (two stints), Ireland assistant coach, Newport Gwent Dragons, Leinster, Ireland head coach Honours: Under-19 World Cup (1998); two Heineken Cups with Munster (2005-06, 2007-08); Six Nations Grand Slam (2009) Lows: Won 16 of 40 Tests since winning the Grand Slam; finished fifth in 2013 Six Nations The decision to axe Kidney was widely expected and was made following an in-depth review process carried out by the IRFU's National Team Review Group (NTRG), which will now lead the search for a new coach.

Ireland's tour of North America - they play the USA in Houston on 8 June and Canada in Toronto on 15 June - will be led by interim head coach Les Kiss, who will be assisted by Gert Smal and Anthony Foley. Among the possible candidates to replace Kidney, who succeeded Eddie O'Sullivan in 2008, are Ireland Under-20 coach Mike Ruddock, Conor O'Shea, currently at Harlequins, Saracens boss Mark McCall, interim boss Kiss and former South Africa coach Jake White, now in charge at the ACT Brumbies in Australia. The 2009 Grand Slam was the undoubted highpoint of Kidney's Ireland reign. Media playback is not supported on this device Archive: Kidney's last Ireland game In the 2011 World Cup, they lost against Wales in the quarter-finals and last summer they suffered a record 60-0 defeat against world champions New Zealand. Ireland began the 2013 Six Nations campaign with an impressive win away to eventual champions Wales but back-to-back defeats against England and Scotland were followed by a draw against France, before a surprise loss in Italy on the final weekend.

There were some extenuating circumstances during the championship, with Ireland dealing with a debilitating injury list that robbed them of key players such as Paul O'Connell, Jonathan Sexton and Simon Zebo. But their inability to rediscover the heights they hit in 2009 meant Kidney's future was under scrutiny long before the final defeat in Rome. Ireland | Planetrugby.com : Planetrugby.com Ireland Date published: January 25 2012 Colours: Green and white Honours: Six Nations Grand Slam (2009), Five Nations Grand Slam (1948), Six Nations winners (Once), Five Nations winners (Six outright, five shared), Four Nations (four times, three shared). Coach: Softly-spoken Declan Kidney took over the Ireland reins after a disastrous 2007 Rugby World Cup, which saw the country fail to make the knockout stages, followed by further Six Nations woe under Eddie O'Sullivan. The latter had to go and announced his resignation in March 2008 after winning three Triple Crowns in his seven-year tenure.

His successor has a knack of winning big trophies, however, and Kidney's record with Munster has transferred to Ireland as they claimed the Grand Slam in 2009. Last year's championship saw them finish in defeat at home to Scotland, hinting that it might be time for Kidney to go with the youth. Captain: Star centre Brian O'Driscoll was appointed to lead Ireland after the retirement of legendary hooker Keith Wood following the 2003 RWC. Probably the best backline player in world rugby, 'BOD' has shown before that captaincy brings out the best in his play, which could only be a good thing for Irish rugby. He was also British & Irish Lions captain on the 2005 tour to New Zealand, and the serious shoulder injury he suffered has not hampered his form since. South Africa in 2009 saw that. Still the darling of Irish rugby. Player to watch:Â The back row has been a strong area for Ireland in recent seasons and the next one off the conveyor belt is someone to watch. Sean O'Brien has been doing the business for Leinster and has been backed in many corners to start for his country this Six Nations.

Whether he can usurp David Wallace is difficult to say but on form, O'Brien has to start. Profile: Despite having relatively low playing numbers, Irish rugby has a long and proud rugby tradition and, interestingly, is one of the few sports which unites northern and southern Ireland with the national team selected from players on both sides of the border. But they have earned the tag of perennial underachievers, with pre-season optimism frequently ending in disappointment – as happened during the 1999 World Cup when the team failed to make it to the quarter-finals after losing to Argentina. In subsequent years Ireland's strength in depth improved markedly and the presence of O'Driscoll ensured that interest amongst the young escalated. The traditional forward-based game employed by the team gave way to a far more exciting, 15-man approach, a style mirrored by Ireland's leading provinces, Munster, Leinster and Ulster, ensuring that the national team slowly climbed their way up the world rankings. The progress reaped dividends in 2004 when the greens secured the Triple Crown – their second since 1949 – punctuating England's 22-match winning streak at Twickenham in the process.

2007 dawned bright for Irish rugby supporters, their souls fed by years of consistent improvement, and the announcement in March that the IRFU was setting up a 'High Performance Select Group' to nurture the best young talent enforced the belief that that trend is set to continue. Again the national side were favourites for the Six Nations, but those hopes seemed over after a loss to France at Croke Park in what was widely regarded as one of the best rugby matches of recent years. However, when France subsequently lost to England, the competition was thrown open and England, Ireland and France all went into the final weekend with a chance of lifting the trophy. Ireland thrashed Italy to give themselves an excellent chance, but a last-minute try by France in their win over Scotland ensured that France took the silverware due to a superior points difference. However, Ireland's defeat of England did secure their second consecutive Triple Crown, which was their third in four years, giving Irish fans the belief that they had the potential for a semi-final berth in the 2007 World Cup. A terrible tournament then followed with poor performances against all in their pool.

Enter Kidney for the outgoing O'Sullivan and Ireland secured a Grand Slam in 2009 and were looking strong again the following year. However, defeats to Scotland and before that eventual winners France saw them finish second, four points off Les Bleus. Six Nations: Wales 15–17 Ireland | Sport | The Guardian O'Driscoll, O'Gara, Oh, Ireland have only gone and done it Wales 15–17 Ireland Paul Rees at Millennium Stadium Saturday 21 March 2009 15.47 EDT First published on Saturday 21 March 2009 15.47 EDT Share on Messenger Close Ireland have had so many hard-luck stories since winning the grand slam in 1948 that they were almost duty bound to put their army of supporters through an emotional wrangler before finally clinching victory in probably the most dramatic finish to a Six Nations campaign. Time was up when the Wales outside-half, Stephen Jones, lined up a penalty from the halfway line and a number of the Ireland players dared not look. Both sides had done their best to lose the game.

Five minutes of stoppage time were remaining when Jones had restored Wales's lead with a drop goal. Ireland had dominated the match in terms of ­territory and possession, but indiscipline had cost them and when Ronan O'Gara took the restart, a team that had gained the tag of chokers after a decade of near misses was facing more heartache. What Jones had taken away from Ireland, he immediately kicked back. Wales spent the entire match keeping the ball in play, not once trying to find touch from broken play, but Jones put the ball out on the full inside his own 25 after the ball had been passed back to him. Wales started the week cursing the experimental law variations and ended it hanged by them. Ireland won the line-out and launched a couple of drives, manoeuvring ­themselves into position for O'Gara to drop a goal, as he had done in the dying seconds of this fixture six years ago to set up his side for a tilt at the grand slam against England.

O'Gara had been off key in the first-half, but he unlocked doors after the break, mercilessly exploiting Wales's problem at full-back where Gavin Henson found himself filling in for the injured Lee Byrne after 35 minutes and looked as if he would rather be anywhere else as O'Gara sent a series of punts, chips and garryowens his way. There were at least 15,000 Ireland supporters in the crowd, three times the official allocation of tickets, but their cheers faded as quickly as they rose. Paddy Wallace, who had just come on as a replacement, conceded a needless penalty at a breakdown just inside his own half, the 15th time Ireland prompted the referee, Wayne Barnes, to raise his arm. By some way the superior team on the day, ­indiscipline looked like costing them. Henson had earlier missed a kick from halfway, wide on the right, but it was still a surprise when Stephen Jones picked up the ball and pointed to the posts. Jones had already landed one penalty from distance, but he was on the limits of his range. "Stephen said he fancied it and I knew I couldn't kick that far," said the Wales captain, Ryan Jones.

The countdown clock had reached zero when the outside-half struck the ball. The crowd behind the points got to their feet in anticipation and then started to cheer, prompting a reaction from those who had a worse view. As the ball started its descent, it appeared that Ireland would take the title, their first since 1985, Wales would take the triple crown and the grand slam would be left unmolested. Wales had denied Ireland a grand slam 40 and 58 years before. History was about to repeat itself, but suddenly the red-clothed raised arms turned to green. The kick, from 50 yards, fell just short and the ball was gathered by the replacement full-back, Geordan Murphy, who savoured the moment before kicking it into the crowd and turning to hear the final whistle. Two of the survivors from the victory over Wales in Belfast 61 years ago that secured the clean sweep, Jackie Kyle and Bertie O'Hanlon, were among the sell-out crowd, delighted that a successful handover of their baton had been made.

"I am glad to have been here to witness this," said the 86-year old O'Hanlon, a wing in the 1948 side who got a ticket through his Welsh son-in-law, a London Welsh member, because he did not want to trouble the Irish Rugby Football Union at what he knew would be a busy time. "I have brought the match ball from our final game against Wales 61 years ago with me and it is more than time that we were joined in our place in history." There was little hint of what was to come in the opening exchanges. It was ferocious, rugby in the raw. A scuffle broke out after Ryan Jones clipped O'Gara, who missed the subsequent penalty. Ireland, dominating the scrum and breakdown, kept sacrificing position by conceding penalties. Wales were looking scruffy, poor at the line-out and getting turned over, but they have developed an indomitable spirit under Warren Gatland and they went into the interval 6-0 ahead through two Stephen Jones penalties. The game turned immediately O'Gara started the second period. Wales kicked the ball back and Rob Kearney launched a kick that had more height than distance.

Ryan Jones went to catch it but knocked on, Ireland moved the ball quickly right and Tommy Bowe sprinted into the Wales 25. The Wales wing Mark Jones called for a mark after a chip to the line but it was lost in the roar. Ireland were awarded a line-out and a few drives later Brian O'Driscoll burrowed over for his fourth try of the campaign. O'Gara's ­conversion put Ireland ahead and he created a second try four minutes later, chipping to the right into no man's land. Henson dithered, watched the ball bounce over his head and his Osprey colleague,Bowe, helped himself and sprinted over from 30 yards for another seven-pointer. Wales looked dazed but they mounted a final defence of their title. Two Stephen Jones penalties brought them back to 14-12 down and, at the moment Ireland had raised the chalice to their lips, they looked like being denied the drink. Shane Williams finally made a break, Mike ­Phillips looked as if he were going to carry half of Ireland over the line with him and Wales, as the game approached time added on, suddenly looked the part.

But Ireland were not to be denied what was rightfully theirs. Gatland was gracious in defeat, pointing out that it had been a contest between the two best teams in the Six Nations, and there was no gloating from his opposite number, Declan Kidney, who praised his predecessor, Eddie O'Sullivan, for helping lay the foundation. "This is unbelievable," said Kidney. 'I think I will be talking babble for the next five minutes." The rest of Ireland was already popping open the babbly. Thousands welcome grand slam squad Thousands welcome grand slam squad Updated / March 23, 2009 11:50 Around 18,000 supporters turned out to welcome Ireland's rugby squad home after their historic Six Nations win. A civic reception for the team was held outside the Mansion House in Dublin. Team captain Brian O'Driscoll was almost drowned out by screams and chants of 'Ole Ole' from the massive crowd. ‘It's been fantastic, it's taken a while to settle in,’ he said. He said the dramatic end to the game meant it took a little longer to deal with what the team had achieved.

‘It's a fantastic feeling, waking up this morning you were not as sore as you would have been if you had lost’. Coach Declan Kidney said the team had got what they rightly deserved. 'I think the honesty and the support of the players shone through yesterday and I think they got their just reward,' he said. The reception was attended by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Dublin's Deputy Lord Mayor Emer Costelloe. Earlier in the day, the management and team were met by an estimated 2,000 fans upon their arrival at Dublin Airport. Declan Kidney's men sealed the clean sweep after narrowly beating Wales in a nail-biting match that ended 17-15, the first Grand Slam in 61 years. Celebrations erupted across the country last night as revellers toasted the memorable win. Last night Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the tributes to the squad saying their achievements were nothing short of superb. Mr Cowen said the triumph would go down in the history books as one of Ireland's greatest sporting victories. Sports Minister Martin Cullen described the win as a magnificent occasion, while Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael, said the team had made the entire country proud.

Most of those watching at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium had not been born when Ireland won their only previous grand slam in 1948.

Question: Who was the Ireland rugby coach when they achieved the Grand Slam in 2009?
Answer: Declan Kidney